The Role
Provides technical support for refractory products, including application analysis, lining design, installation methods, quotations, training, complaint investigation, failure analysis, and customer solutions. Supports product marketing, sales, market and portfolio analysis, product rationalization, pricing, and industry trade shows. Collaborates with engineering, research and development, manufacturing, and commercial teams on product development and customer initiatives. Requires approximately 30–35% domestic travel, with occasional international travel.
Summary Generated by Built In
HWI has a fantastic opportunity to join our Marketing Team as an Application and Technical Support Specialist II.
Summary
The Application and Technical Support Specialist II promotes the use of HarbisonWalker International refractory products and uses their technical knowledge of refractory products to support commercial activities including product marketing, support for product selection and use, and sales activities. This role should also begin working with HarbisonWalker Internationals engineering team to solve problems and provide solutions to customers, internal and external.
Responsibilities
- Leveraging deep subject matter expertise for providing technical support for customer assistance, customer quotations, internal and external training, complaint investigation, failure analysis and collaboration on research and development activities, including new product development concepts and projects.
- Performing analysis of application needs and proposing, altering, or refining/defining lining designs and installation methods in support of customer balancing business needs.
- Contributing to and executing product promotions and marketing strategies as a cross-functional team member supporting segment plan initiatives; preparing for and attending industry tradeshows.
- Performing market analysis and contributing to product portfolio analysis to identify and develop new/emerging business opportunities and to align with segment plan initiatives
- Offering strategic customer sales and technical support.
- Assisting in product rationalization, product portfolio modifications and shape standardization; contributing to pricing and positioning of various products in the subject matter areas.
Requirements:
- Requires B.S. degree in Engineering such as Ceramics, Metallurgy, Chemical, Materials Science or related field.
- Requires knowledge of industry/customer applications, general refractory science, and marketing/technical skills. Additional knowledge and understanding of product lines, product characteristics, construction, installations, customer applications, estimating, quality control, manufacturing and sales skills will be helpful.
- Requires proficient knowledge of MS Office (i.e. Excel, Access and PowerPoint).
- Requires the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Requires strong analytical, strategic thinking and business problem solving skills.
- Requires project management skills and the ability to coordinate multi-department projects.
- Requires two (2) to four (4) years’ experience in technical, Research and Development or commercial refractory roles.
- Position requires domestic travel, estimated 30% of the time.
Physical and Environmental Requirements:
- Physical Activity: Requires more than 2/3 of time sitting, talking or hearing; and less than 1/3 of time standing, walking, climbing/balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, reaching and using hands and fingers and tasting/smelling.
- Lifting: Requires lifting up to 50 pounds less than 1/3 of time.
- Vision: Requires accurate close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
- Environment: Requires more than 2/3 of time in an office setting; and less than 1/3 of time working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposed to outdoor weather, wet/humid conditions, extreme heat, fumes or airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, and/or vibration.
- Noise: Requires exposure to moderate noise; and less 1/3 of time working in loud environments.
- Travel: Requires approximately 35% travel (primarily domestic, occasional international opportunity)
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, such as Ceramics, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- Knowledge of industry and customer applications, general refractory science, and marketing and technical skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Access, and PowerPoint
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Strong analytical, strategic-thinking, and business problem-solving skills
- Project management skills and ability to coordinate multi-department projects
- Two to four years of experience in technical, research and development, or commercial refractory roles
- Additional knowledge of product lines, product characteristics, construction, installation, customer applications, estimating, quality control, manufacturing, and sales
- Ability to travel approximately 30–35%, primarily domestically, with occasional international travel
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
HarbisonWalker International (HWI) is a leading supplier of refractory products and services in the United States, providing high-temperature solutions for various industries.
